Game-table



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. J. MURPHY.

GAMBTABLE.

No. 250,948. 7 Patented Dec. 13,1881.

2 2% esseg: flMwm 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. J. MURPHY.

(No Model.)

GAME TABLE.

Patented Dec. 13,1881.

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UNITED STATES PATENT EEIcE.

WILLIAM J. MURPHY, OF'BROOKLYN, E. '11, NEW YORK.

GAME-TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,948, dated December 13, 1881.

Application filed November 9, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. MURPHY, of

Brooklyn, E. D., in the county of Kings and part thereof.

Fig. 3.

My invention relates to an improvement in games; and it consists in the peculiar arrangement and construction of the table upon which the game is played; and it further consists in inscribing peculiar symbols upon the balls used in playing the game, whereby the results of the game are varied and made interesting, as will be more fully set forth hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the table. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of one of the balls. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the table. Fig. 4 is a "ertical cross-section on the line 00 00, Fig. 3.

Like letters of reference denote like parts in all the figures.

A represents a table constructed like those used in playing billiards. From one end of the table rises the partition g, and at a slight distance beyond the partition rises the box a to about twice the height of the partition. In the center of the box a is placed the tube 1), the lower end of which is bent forward and passes through the lower edge of the partition, so that the bottom of the bore is exactly on a level with the top of the table, as shown at 0,

Near the upper end of the tube b, in the side facing the foot of the table, is the opening d, by means of which a ball pitched from the foot of the table can enter the tube at its top and be discharged upon the top of the table at 0. Upon each side of the opening cl are the openings e e, which admit of entrance to the side passages, t t, situated on each side of the tube 1). These passages connect with the inclined discharge-spout f, placed under the table.

Upon the center of the top of the table are arranged thirteen circular depressions, h,which are designed to retain the balls B'in them in the same manner as in the game of pool. These depressions are arranged in two concentric circles arounda central one, the outer circle containing eight and the inner one four depressions. This system may be varied, if desired.

The game,which I prefer to designate Young America, is played as follows: Thirteen balls, B, of abouttwo inches in diameter, preferably made of rubber, are required. These balls correspond to the thirteen original States of the American Union, there being one for each State, bearing its name and the number of its electoral votes, thus: New Hampshire, 5; Massachusetts, 13; Connecticut, 6; Rhode Island, 4.; New York, 35 5 New Jersey, 9; Pennsylvania, 29; Delaware, 3; Maryland, 8; Virginia, 11; North Carolina, 10; South Carolina, 7; Georgia, 11. In playing the game the first player stands at the foot of the table, with his left foot upon a stool, and throws the balls in succession at the central opening, d. If a ball strikesin the openingd,itis discharged through the tube 1) upon the table, and rolls probably into one of the depressions, where it remains.

Should it roll to the foot of the table past the depressions, the player places it upon the spot and strikes it with his one, trying to place it in one of the depressions. If it goes beyond them, the ball will be lost to the player. In pitching the balls, should any of them miss the central opening, they will be discharged through the spout under the table and be regarded as lost. When the first player has played all the balls the total of the numbers represented by those that reached the depressions is taken and the next player proceeds. The person who succeeds in getting the highest number wins the game.

I do not care to limit myself to the precise number of balls hereinbefore specified, as it is obvious that the number could be increased so as to include all the States in the Union, or the use of the names of the States might be entirely dispensed with and purely arbitrary citement and interest in the game and render it very amusing.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. A table, A, provided with the depressions h upon its top, partition g, box a, and tube 1), the tube being provided with an opening, 61, at its upper end, and having its lower end connecting with the top of the table, so that a ball thrown into the opening will be discharged upon the table, substantially as set forth.

2. The table A, provided with the box a, having the tube bin its center, (said tube being provided with an opening at its top and connecting with the top of the table at its lower end,) and side passages, 1 i, leading to the inclined discharge spout f, placed under the table, so that if a ball thrown at the central opening, d, should miss its mark it will be discharged through the spout f, substantially as shown and described.

3. The table A, provided on its top with the depressions h for retaining the balls, partition g, box a, and tube 1), the tube being provided with an opening, d, at its upper end, facing the foot of the table, and having its lower end connecting with the top of the table, the box a being provided with the side passages, i i, leading to the discharge-spout f under the table, all combined to operate substantially as shown.

4. The balls B, each bearing the name and a number corresponding to the electoral votes of a State of the American Union, substantially as described.

5. The balls B, bearing the names and numbers of the electoral votes of States in the American Union,in combination with the table A, provided on its top with depressions h, for arresting and retaining the balls, partition 9, box a, and tube b, the tube being provided with an opening, d, at its upper end, facing the foot of the table, and having its lower end connecting with the top of the table, so as to discharge the balls thrown in the central opening, 01, thereon, the box a being provided withthe side passages, z 'i, leading to the dischargespoutf under the table, whereby the balls that miss the central opening, 01, will be returned through the spout f to the player, all combined to operate substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I append my signature.

\VILLIAM JOSEPH MURPHY.

Witnesses:

J OSEPH SEIT, PETER- F. MURPHY. 

